If i can do it, you can do it
Don’t be afraid
Challenge yourself
Believe in yourself
If i can do it, you can do it
Don’t be afraid
Challenge yourself
Believe in yourself
About Me
Knowledge & Experience
My name is Jérôme Etteridge, I'm a 22 year old male diagnosed in Primary School with Autism and ADHD. I now work in the Public School system and ASPECT School system with students who have disabilities. In 2022 I became a public speaker, providing motivational presentations based on my life and experiences to Schools, Disability Services, School Lever Employment Services, Educational Institutions other organisations. I have a high success rate of motivating young people to look at there abilities rather than disabilities or mental health challenges, as I have been there and I have not let any challenge hold me back.
I talk and motivate your young people to
Challenge yourself
And
Believe in yourself
Current achievements
National cross country gold medal.
Commonwealth Parliamentarian Award
Certificate of Excellence for Certificate 4 education support.
NSW state basketball team representative.
NSW athletics team representative.
Education Support worker part time
Motivational speaker.
Future ambitions
I'm training to become an Australian Paralympic runner and Special Olympics Australian basketball player. I'm aspiring to use my success stories to become the face of the Autism community and increase my understanding of how to help and work with people with disabilities.
Journey with autism
Additional Information
When growing up, I had some challenges in life. I was first diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin, however my father was not convinced the diagnosis was totally accurate. He advocated for me for 2 years until we obtained approval for a full diagnostic assessment. Finally in Year 5 at middle school I was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Learning Difficulties and a Sleep disorder. By this time I had already made it most way through mainstream middle school and I had competed in state cross country. The diagnosis was so important in letting me understand my challenges and embark on my journey to achieve my goals and my dreams.
When leaving middle school and heading to high school my parents wanted me to have the best possible education even if it required being moved into a supported classroom, so my father advocated to both the Catholic Education Office as well as the independent Aspect school system; education for students with autism. Specialists completed an I.Q assessment and after my parents successful advocacy I was accepted into the ASPECT School system. This decision is a key in my development and who I am today. Aspects supported learning environment - as well-as a greater focus on life skills and community access allowed me to learn and flourish in a positive environment.
Now entering year 11 I wanted to test the potential of becoming a teacher’s Aid. My teachers were supportive, they allowed me to do work experience at a local primary school. When working on the first day I got hands on experience with students that had additional support needs such as Neuro divergent, Physical and intellectual. Towards the middle part of the day we took the students to a gym like fun centre and being able to fully see the teachers go out of their way to make each student smile was really eye opening. After arriving home I started to cry and when my parents questioned me if I was hurt I told them that I was crying a tear of joy as everything I saw that day made me want to be the be the person these students can look up to.
About my diagnosis
Autism
Learning difficulties
Autism
In 2011, I was diagnosed with Autism. Throughout my life, I have experienced some challenges, with one being exposed to loud noises. However, my personality has matured overtime. As I entered my 20s, I have developed an interest in going to parties with friends, which involves listening to loud music. This is an example of how my personal
In 2011, I was diagnosed with Autism. Throughout my life, I have experienced some challenges, with one being exposed to loud noises. However, my personality has matured overtime. As I entered my 20s, I have developed an interest in going to parties with friends, which involves listening to loud music. This is an example of how my personality has been able to overcome some of the prior challenges I have faced with my autism. Currently, the biggest challenge I face with Autism is communication with work colleagues and students - particularly in relation to understanding their social-emotional needs as I also have my own communication need as that I am working though which often hamper my ability to recognise students' masking.
ADHD
Learning difficulties
Autism
In 2011, I was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin by my Psychiatrist, however, father was not convinced that this diagnosis was the only answer and he wanted to explore additional options. With advice from the teachers and the principal at St Joseph’s Primary, I registered for the Cross Country competition. The purpose of this com
In 2011, I was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin by my Psychiatrist, however, father was not convinced that this diagnosis was the only answer and he wanted to explore additional options. With advice from the teachers and the principal at St Joseph’s Primary, I registered for the Cross Country competition. The purpose of this competition was to not only teach me sportsmanship and participation, but to engage with the symptoms of ADHD, mainly the hyperactivity. The result was a gold medal at the National Cross Country Championships in Canberra. Over time, I have gotten better at finding hobbies and outlets to manage some of the symptoms related to ADHD, however, given a difficult situation, I can still tend to lose my concentration at times.
Learning difficulties
Learning difficulties
Learning difficulties
In 2011, the Kogarah Diagnostic Centre diagnosed me with ADHD, Autism, Learning Difficulties and Sleep disorder. In order to get an accurate picture for school, sporting and to get the right support a further detailed assessment was completed. At this time the testing method was an I.Q test this was completed by a Psychologist for the Cat
In 2011, the Kogarah Diagnostic Centre diagnosed me with ADHD, Autism, Learning Difficulties and Sleep disorder. In order to get an accurate picture for school, sporting and to get the right support a further detailed assessment was completed. At this time the testing method was an I.Q test this was completed by a Psychologist for the Catholic Education office. The result was that I had an Intellectual Disability and would need Significant support in the Catholic or the Public School system. To this day I have never let this challenge hamper me in what I want to do in my career, sport or social life
Sleep disorder
Learning difficulties
Learning difficulties
I have always had difficulties sleeping. This started when I was a baby, with my parents reporting they had found it challenging to get me to fall asleep - with one of many strategies to drive me around the block multiple times until I fall asleep. To this day, I continue to struggle with sleep, often finding myself very overstimulated at
I have always had difficulties sleeping. This started when I was a baby, with my parents reporting they had found it challenging to get me to fall asleep - with one of many strategies to drive me around the block multiple times until I fall asleep. To this day, I continue to struggle with sleep, often finding myself very overstimulated at night. For example, I tend to start planning events in my head which may be months away from actually happening. Recently, my father suggested that I read for an hour and a half before bed the nights before I work. This is a better alternative than scrolling through my phone, as this often overstimulates be before sleep, as my brain struggles to turn off and thinks about the things I have seen on social media, starting a downwards cycle.
My supports, businesses
NDIS
The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life. This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, psychologists, speech therapists and more.
NDIS has been crucial to my development and support helping me to achieve my goals and continues to be my major support. Your plan includes your goals and your supports, it is taylor made to help you succeed, I would not be where I am today without the support of the NDIS.
Support Coordinator Michelle
I have had the privilege of working with Jerome as a support coordinator. It is our vision at Dream Big Disabilities to be guided by each individual and assist in a person centred way. At Dream Big Disabilities we are your advocate, nothing should prevent you achieving the best you want in life.
Elaine Mentor
" I am known usually as an independent support worker, but for someone as capable as Jerome the label implied somehow that he needed assistance. We changed the dynamic to name me as his "mentor". Together we assisted each other, him providing advice in assisting people with Autism and me supporting him to prepare for public speaking engagements. I am delighted to watch him flourish and know that in his words 'I planted the seed. Dream Big Disabilities enable me and the participants to forge their path "
Speech (All salt)
I have had the privilege of working with Jerome as an Allied Health Assistant (Speech Pathology, Krystelle). Through Speech Pathology, Jerome has worked on many functional aspects of his communication. This involved working on his public speaking skills and confidence delivering presentations. Through Speech Pathology, we have also built on Jerome’s written communication skills, with his strong efforts and skills displayed in this very website.
Psychologist
Throughout my life I have been supported by Psychologists to help me to deal with the different challenges in life like stress and anxiety. This has helped both my performance in day to day living as well as in my athletics and basketball performance.
Running coach Michael
When moving from cross country to athletics, we wanted a professional coach to develop my speed for the shorter distances rather than endurance. Michael coaches and prepares me for my athletic events local, state and National.
Nutritionist
I currently have a nutritionist who has helped me understand the importance of eating healthy and how that effects my athletics career.
Basketball coaches
Since High school I have started attending basketball training. I currently have a diverse rotation of coaches who teach me technical drills as well as difficult to master shooting techniques.